Treasury to Shrink Financing Program

By

Deborah Solomon and

Jon Hilsenrath

Updated Sept. 17, 2009 12:01 a.m. ET

WASHINGTON -- The Treasury Department is expected to begin winding down a temporary program created at the height of the financial crisis to address a new problem -- the government's rapidly expanding debt.

According to people familiar with the matter, the step is being taken to help the Treasury avoid hitting the $12.1 trillion debt ceiling that was expected to be reached by mid-October. The decision could also be controversial,...